Industrial truck



Feb. 23, 1932. E, J, ABBE 1,846,413

I NDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed'Nov. 5. 1930 v 4 Sheets-Sheet l gnw ntoz Feb. 23, 1932. E. J. ABBE 1,84%;4-13

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Nov. 3, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1932. E. J. ABBE 1,846,413

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Nov. a. 1950 4 sheets-sheet s Feb. 23, 1932. E. J. ABBE 1,846,413

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Nov. 5, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill row loads.

Patented F eb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

EDWARD J. ABBE', OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, TO, THE ELWELL-PARKER EIIECJ TRIO COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, DHIO,

A. CORPORATION OF OHIO INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Application filed November 3, 1980. Serial No. 492,887.

The present invention has been made to overcome several serious problems in the use of industrial trucks and like load handling and conveying mechanisms, designed to secure, lift and carry loads of various weights and/or dimensions. One specific problem solved is in connection with handling and conveying sheet stock. Obviously, it is highly desirable to be able to lift and carry bundles of stock, which bundles vary greatly in their general dimensions. Furthermore, it is highly desirable to be able to lift, convey and deposit bundles which are thicker, say on one side, than on another, even though the loads may be of approximately the same size for a given job.

To better illustrate the problems presented and solved bythe present invention it may be stated that it is old to provide a plurality of load lifting forks and clampstherefor, which clamps are arranged to impose clamping force on the load directly opposite, say above, the tines of the forks. If the clamping force is applied by power, it is of course more convenient to operate the clamps simultaneously. This is the usual method. However, when a load of metal plates, for example, is thicker on one side than on another, such simultaneous operation of the clamps, as previously carried out, results inforcibly clamping only one side of the load, leaving the other side more or less free to get out of place. Design of lifting and clamping arrangements for industrial trucks in accordance with the present invention overcomes this difliculty in a very simple manner.

It may be stated that it is also old to move a plurality of load lifting fork tines or members with relation to each other, so as to be able to more effectively support wide and nar- However, so far as I know, there has been heretofore no arrangement in this class of equipment which will insure that the clamping force will be applied directly opposite the tines which are thus movable for adjustment, say transversely of the truck. My invention overcomes this difficulty by providing a device whereby the clamping means must be adjusted in accordance with the position of the tines. 50 lVith the above in view, the general object of the invention is to provide a load handling mechanism for industrial trucks and the like which shall be more flexible, and more eflljcient than similar units previously availa le.

Specific objects include the provision of a load handling mechanism for an industrial truck by the use of which the load may be quickly secured on the lifting elementsof 60 the truck and effectively handled, notwithstanding considerable variations in the dimensions of various loads. A further specific object is to provide a simple, flexible and efficient load gripping arrangement for in- 65 dustrial trucks and the like, which will enable the truck to securely lift and carry loads, such as loose bundles of sheet metal stock for example, without loss of time, particularly in the loading operation, without danger of causing damage to the load, and which will securely hold the load during transportation.

A still more specific object is to provide a simple and automatically operating equalizing device for a plurality of load grippers or clamps on an industrial truck or like material handling apparatus.

Further objects, as will be hereinafter shown, include the simplification and general refinement of load handling mechanisms of the type herein illustrated. The various novel features of the invention will be made clear from the following description relating to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an industrial truck incorporatingthe in vention and showing two positions of the load lifting parts, oneposition inbrokenlines; Fig. 2 1s a plan view of the rearward or load handling portion of the truck; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the View being taken substantially along the line 33 on Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional View in substantial accordance with the lines 44 on Fig. 2, but with the load handling mechanism in raising position; Fig. 5 is a sectional front elevation taken substantially along the line 55 on Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detailed subassembly view of parts of the mechanism which are also shown in Figs. 2 and 3; Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 7-7 and 8-8 on Fig. 1 (see also 8-8 on Fig. 3) Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 99 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along the line 10-10 on Fig. 2. 7

Referring again to Figs. 1 to 4, it may be noted that the invention is applicable to any truck of suitable construction, but is particularly useful in connection with so-called tierlift trucks, a suitable example of which is illustrated.

In Figs. 1 and 2, 1 indicates the general frame-or chassis of the truck body, this frame being suitably braced and adapted to be sup ported by a pair or set of driving wheels 2,

and a pair or set of smaller load carrying wheels 4 (one wheel of each set being shown). Theframe has a low slung extension 3'carrying the smaller wheels 4, which are preferably dirigible. Surmounting the chassis'is anupright housing portion 5 which carries the power plant of the truck, storage batteries and electric motors for example, the truck having any suitable arrangement for transmitting the power to thedriving wheels and to'the load lift, to be presently described. The power transmitting arrangements except for portions thereof associated with the load lift are not shown, many examples being well known.

The truck may be controlled by an operator standing on a forwardly disposed platform 10 attached to the main frame, in which position he has within his reach the necessary control elements, such as a steering wheel 11 and suitable motor control switches, the position of one of the latter being illustrated at 12.

Disposed intermediately of the large and small wheels, there is an upright trackway afiording framework 15. The character of this is shown best in Figs. 2, 3 and 9. As shown, there are spaced channels 16 with oppositely facing flanges 17. These channels may rest with their lower ends on suitable boss formations on the frame extension 3. The channels may of course, be rigidly secured to the upright housing portion of the truck and may be braced atthe top by a cross member 18, which, as shown, also supports suitable sheaves and anchorages for load lifting cables, to be presently described.

The load lifting mechanism includes a carriage 20, the preferred construction of which will be presently described and the carriage is provided with suitable guiding members,

preferably rollers 21 and 22, which, as shown in Fig. 2, run on rails 23 secured to the up right channel sections 16. The frame of the carriage preferably comprises side plates 25 and an intermediate plate 26, which plates are held in generally parallel relationship by suitable rigid cross members, examples of which are shown at 27, 28 and 29. v

The load which may, for example, as a bundle of sheet metal plates (see L, Figs. 3, 4 and 5) is carried rearwardly from the plates 25 and 26 on L-shaped load carrying arms or tines having substantially vertically extending portions 30 and horizontally extending portions 31. The load rests on the horizontal portions of the arms, and may be properly located forwardly against bearer strips 32 of suitable soft materiahattached to the upright portions 30 of the arms. The L-shaped arms are adjustably arranged ona rigidcross bar in a bracket member 36 on the intermediate frame plate 26. The general shapeof the bracket 36 is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The arms may incidentally be rotated aboutxthe bar 35 as a center, so that they may be swung inwardly to an idle position above the car,- riage, thus decreasing the overall length of the truck when not carrying: a load.

The load clamping arrangement includes a pair of clamping arms 38 and 38 which are preferably identical. These arms have. suitable clamping pads .at their outer ends at 40 to engage the load, and are secured for pivotal movement to the side plates 25 and bracket 36, through the intermediacy of separate rock-shafts 42, each of which have their opposite end portions suitably journalled in the bracket 36. (see Figs.-3 and 7) and the plates 25. The separate rock shafts 42 are parts of the'arrangement whereby the clamping forces of the arms are equalized.

Each of theclamping arms. has a hub portion 43 apertured or slotted to embrace a mounting piece 45, which latter forms part of an adjustable connection between the arm and its shaft 42. This connection is adjust.-

able so that the shaft 42 may rockwithin tion of the shaft, see Figs. 3 and 7. Each mounting piece has a flange 47 embraced by a slot 48 in the respective arm, and each flange has an arcuately arranged series or holes 49, adapted to be selectively engaged by a removable pin 50 arranged to extend through aligned holes 51. in the arm and the selected one of the holes 49.

The device just described permits either or both of the arms to be located various distances from the load supporting portions of the carrier arms 30-31, wherebythe operat ing mechanism, to be presently described, will operate in the same manner for loads of differentvertical dimensions, and with equal efficiency irrespective of such difference.

Secured to respective inner ends of the squared rock-shafts 42 are a pair of upwardly extending arms which, through the intermediacy of suitable links 56,. are connected with an equalizing beam 57 (see Fig. 6) carried on a yoke 58 which is in turn carried by an upwardly extending central arm 59. Rocking the arm 59 forwardly and rear wardly, causes the clamp arms to grip and release the load; see Figs. 3 and 4. The arm 59, see Figs. .3 and 9 particularly, is keyed to a heavy rock-shaft 60 which has its ends suitably journalled in bearing members 61 on the side plates 25. lrVhen the shaft 60 is turnedin a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the clamping arms 38 and 38' are raised to unclamp the load; and to yieldingly hold the arms in this, their normal position (see Fig. 3), I provide adjustable spring devices, such as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 9. These spring devices include depending arms 62 near the outer ends of the shaft 60, the arms being pivotally connected to rods 6 slidably arranged in suitable rigid brackets 65 and 69, mounted on the side plates 25. The rods (34 extend through tubes 66 which carry coil springs 67, and each spring reacts, at one end, on its rigid bracket 65 and, at the other, on an adjustable abutment device 68, including, for example, the usual double nut arrangement and spring follower, which causes the spring to rock, and normally hold, the arm 62 swung rearwardly, i. e. t0- ward the load, raising the load clamp.

On opposite sides of the arm 59 and rigidly attached to the shaft 60 are forwardly extending arms 70, each of which pivotally carries a sheave block 72. The blocks pivot about axes which extend normal to the working planes of the arms 70, so that the sheaves shown at 7 t, carried by the blocks, may swing freely in line with their cable loops.

The power arrangement, heretofore mentioned, may comprise a suitable motor driven cable hoist having winding drums 75, see Figs. 2 and 3. Respective cable stretches, attached to these drums, pass upwardly at C, to and over individual sheaves 76 on the cross member 18 of the upright frame, thence downwardly as at C to the blocks 72and desired, for greater again upwardly in. a loop C"- to a suitable loop 0- may move in the equalizer 7 8 on suitable guides, it being further apparent that the equalizer may include a roller, not shown, if freedom of movement for the cable loop stretch C".

In operation, it will beseen that-as the drums 75 are turned in a, clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the-cable will raise the blocks 72 and turn the arms 70in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 3, which through the upstanding arm 59 on the shaft-60 will pull forwardly onithe equalizer beam'57 and cause the clamping arms 38 and 38*- to be borne downwardly onto the load.. After this clamping is accomplished, furtherdrawingin on the cables simply raises the carriage 2b, the load carrying and clampingiarms, m gether with the load, as a unit. It is obvious that as the load varies in weight the clamping force will also vary, simplybecause the arms will be forced downwardly onto the load in direct proportion to the pull exerted 3 on the cable. When the load has been moved to its desired location, lowering the sameont'o suitable supports, such as .stringers, --on"a platform,car or bin floor, results in automatically releasing the load clamp, because the springs .67 then act to moveboth clamps-away from the'load. The loadmay then bev cleared by driving the truck forwardly. a i

Fig. 5 illustrates one of the conditions encountered in practical operations; Here. it will be'seen that the right hand side of the load isthicker than .the leftrside. In the event :of such a load, the clamp .38 need only be brought to alower plane than that of the clamp 38" and this is all accomplished through the agency of the equalizer (Fig. 6), the separate rock shafts (Fig. 7:) and associated mechanisms above described. A further highly desirable advantageob taincd by the present arrangement is'that the clamp arms and L-shaped arms 30-431 may be moved toward and away from the center of the truck desired distances so as to distribute the clamping action. of the arms .38 and 38 in accordance withthe requirement of the load. When such adjustment is made, it is impossible for the operator'to move the clamp armsout of registration with the tines 31. lhave arranged for this by thedevice' shown in Figs. 4 and 10. The lower parts of the flanges 47 which adjustably connectthe arms 38- and 38" to the squared shafts .42 engage slots 30: inthe upper ends 'of theL shaped fork arms 30-31, whereby movement of the clamp arms along the squared shafts42 necessarily moves the L-shaped arms aswell. The device insures that the clamping force will be taken directly by the horizontal portions .of the load carrying arms.

The hub portions 43 of the clamparms 38 engaged from the" mounting "moved entirely if: desired at any time, exzmple when'the'truck is usedcontinuously iorihandling-loads-ithat do not require clamp- :andij38f areas-shown, slotted to embrace" the mountmgpieceswton thesqu'ared rock shafts This permitstthe arms to be easily dispieces and gre- Iii-desired, and by the arrangement sug- ,gestedpartieularly n .Fig. 10,.both'the clamp- WS and the forks -of'zeach set may be :swung'rearwardly' into a carrying position "likewise."beiswamgrearwa-rdly over the carriage clearingthe flanges 47. Both sets of armsimay then. .be secured-against. being jolt- Y out of place by replacing the pins in the outermostopenings 49.. a

1. an industrial truck, a .load lifting device, load clamping means on. said device .inelndingspacedrelativelymovableclamping members and mechanism 1 operating on .said

' members-to clamp the load, said mechanism an equalizing device interconnecting: said clamping" members whereby clamping forceiis-eqnally distributed on different portions of the load. I

' 2., anlindustrial truck,ian upright trackway' aload'liitingcarriage mounted on the tracktwayand "means'to :raise and lower the carriage, a plurality of clamp arms pivotally attachedto-the carriage, mechanism connected-to and'operat'ed' by said raising'and loweringmeansxfor operating the'clamp' arms, said mech ism "including an equalizing device whereby the'forceof said first named means is--'distri'buted. equally to the clamping arms irrespective of variations: in vertical dimensions ofth'e load. I

-3-. In an-industrial truck, a frame, load h andling'means mounted on the frame and movable relativethereto, load lifting means onrsaidhamdliugmeans adapted to engage thebottom ofitheloadto lift it, a plurality of clamping':ntembers on the load a handling meansdisposed generally over'the load lifting-means, and a" power device connected withztheplamping members, the: connection irrcludingizan-equalizing device, whereby the same clampin-g force is applied to. two clamping1members notwithstanding the fact that the-" acting"surfaces of such two clamping members may be disposed in different horizontaliplanes.

= 4.1 Inzanindustrialtruck, anuprightframe, arload'carriage guided formovement' on said frame, substantially horizontally extending means: omthe carriageaadapted to pass bethe V 'neath' 'a load to lift it, and a plurality of clamping members pivotally mounted on the carriage and disposed above said means, ele vating' mechanism carried by the frame and connected with the clamping members to:-,

move the same to clamping position and to thereafter raise the carriage, theconnection "between the elevating means and the clamping members including an equalizing bar and links connecting the equalizing bar with the clamping members, whereby'the action of the elevating means on the equalizer bar will be distributed in respective proportions to the clamping members: notwithstanding that-said members are disposedwith their clampingi surfaces in different horizontal planes.

5. In a load handling'machine, a movable frame, a load lifting arm on the frame, a corresponding clamping arm on the frame, said arms being vertically 'movable relative to each other to clamp a load and adjustable transversely of the frame for deslrabl'e disposition with relation to different loads, and means'connecting the load lifting arm with the clamping arm in such manner that the setof arms must be adjusted transversely, as

stated, simultaneously.

6. In mechanism of the kind described,

load lifting means, comprising a carriage and a guide therefor, a plurality of load engaging members movable transversely of the carriage,'a corresponding'plurality of clamping members, and key devices connecting the clamping member to respective load lifting members, whereby a given set of said members must be moved simultaneously, thereby insuring that the clamping force will be imposedon the portion of the load directly supported by the lifting members. a

7. A load engaging and'clamping device for an industrial truck, comprising afranie having substantially parallel guiding supports, a load lifting arm mounted on one of said supports, a clamp arm mounted on the other of said supports, and means connecting said arms including a tongue on one of the arms-and a slot in'the other, said tongue being adaptedto occupy the slot during all the relative operating movements of the arms, whereby displacement of one of the arms out of the vertical plane of the other is pro vented.v 11 a v I 8'. In an industrial truck, a load carrying frame, a pair'of aligned bars journ'alledin the frame for independent rocking movement, load lifting means carried on said frame and load clamping devices disposed over the lifting means, there being means connecting the clamping devices with said aligned bars for rocking movement therewith, and means including an equalizing device for independently but substantially simultaneously rotating the said aligned bars to cause the clamping devices to clamp the load on theliftin'g means.

9. Mechanism according to claim 8, wherein there are mounting pieces connecting the clamping devices with said aligned bars, the mounting pieces embracing said bars and keyed thereto for movement along the bars and wherein the clamping devices are also rotatively adjustable with respect to the mounting devices, whereby the clamping devices may be adjusted horizontally as Well as vertically for different loads. In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

EDWARD J. ABBE. 

